The Karnataka government is looking at tougher traffic regulations to improve road safety and reduce traffic violations across the state (especially Bengaluru). Half helmets will be banned from manufacturing and sale; fines for riding motorcycles on footpaths will be hiked significantly, and fines for driving in the wrong direction on one-way roads will be multiplied ten times.
Transport Minister Bairathi Suresh announced the proposed measures while speaking to reporters at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on November 1. The government is looking into various legal provisions to enforce them and discourage motorists from flouting traffic rules.
These proposals are part of a larger effort involving the Transport and Home Departments to tackle Bengaluru’s traffic problems, pedestrian safety and repeat traffic offenders.
Karnataka Government Plans Action Against Half Helmets
One of the proposals being looked at is action against manufacturers and sellers of half helmets.
Transport Minister Bairathi Suresh said there was concern over the use of half helmets by two-wheeler riders and added that legal provisions were being worked out to penalise those manufacturing, storing and selling helmets which did not conform to safety norms.
Half helmets (also shorty helmets or skull-cap helmets) cover only the upper part of the head. Unlike full-face helmets, they only protect the face, chin and other exposed areas.
While some riders like them because they are light and relatively cheap, their limited coverage raises safety concerns in road accidents.
The government is looking at whether manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers producing and distributing non-compliant helmets can be prosecuted.
The enforcement could cover not only individual riders but also businesses in the supply chain. The government has not yet announced what legal provisions and enforcement mechanisms will be used.
Footpath Riding Fine May Increase From Rs 500 to Rs 5,000
The Karnataka government is also considering a major increase in penalties for motorists riding motorcycles and other vehicles on footpaths.
The reported fine for riding on footpaths is Rs 500. Under the proposed changes, first-time offenders could be fined Rs 5,000 and repeat offenders Rs 10,000.
The Transport Minister said footpaths are meant for pedestrians only, but several motorists use them to avoid traffic congestion, and people walking along busy roads get into dangerous situations.
Such violations affect the most vulnerable people — senior citizens, children and persons with disabilities who rely on footpaths for safe movement.
The minister also said vehicles using pedestrian pathways have been involved in accidents resulting in injuries and fatalities.
Transport and Home Departments have reportedly submitted proposals to revise the existing penalties. The final decision will be taken after Law Department’s opinion is obtained.
Wrong-Side Driving Fine May Rise to Rs 10,000
Another important proposal is that motorists should not drive in the opposite direction on one-way roads.
The existing fine of Rs 1,000 could go up to Rs 10,000 under the new law. That would be a tenfold increase in penalty.
Wrong-side driving is a serious traffic violation because it increases the risk of head-on collisions and puts pedestrians, cyclists and other motorists at risk as well.
The higher penalty is supposed to prevent motorists from taking short cuts or entering one-way streets from the wrong direction.
Authorities are also looking at harsher penalties for other violations — parking vehicles on footpaths, parking in no-parking zones, unauthorised parking and traffic signal violations.
Driving Licence Points System Under Consideration
Apart from increasing fines, the Karnataka government is also considering a points-based system for driving licences.
Under the proposed scheme, motorists would receive penalty points for various traffic violations. Drivers who have accumulated a certain number of points could be suspended from driving their vehicles.
The system is supposed to help authorities identify habitual traffic offenders rather than just individual fines.
For example, motorists who repeatedly break traffic lights, drive on footpaths or break one-way rules could accumulate penalty points in their driving records.
However, the government is still looking at the legal requirements and administrative procedures needed to introduce the system.
Sarathi and Bengaluru Traffic Police e-Challan Integration
The meeting also discussed integrating the Transport Department’s Sarathi platform with Bengaluru Traffic Police’s e-Challan system.
If implemented, this integration could allow traffic police officers to access driving licence information and previous violation records more easily during roadside checks.
Newly registered traffic offences could also be automatically added to a motorist’s digital record.
This would enable authorities to track repeat offenders, check licence details and enforce through digital systems.
The integration is expected to enhance coordination between the Transport Department and Bengaluru Traffic Police.
What Bengaluru Motorists Should Know
The proposals were discussed in a joint review meeting of Home Minister Priyank Kharge, Transport Minister Bairathi Suresh and senior government officials.
The discussions were about reducing congestion, increasing pedestrian safety, and action against repeat offenders (drivers who repeatedly break traffic rules).
Here’s a quick comparison of reported existing fines vs proposed penalties:
| Traffic Violation | Existing Fine | Proposed Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Riding on Footpaths | Rs 500 | Rs 5,000 (First Offence) |
| Repeat Footpath Riding | Rs 500 (Reported Existing Fine) | Rs 10,000 |
| Wrong-Side Driving on One-Way Roads | Rs 1,000 | Rs 10,000 |
The changes are still under consideration and have not been implemented as new traffic rules yet. The government will make a final decision after legal scrutiny and consultation with departments involved.
Until then, drivers should obey existing traffic regulations, wear helmets properly certified for use in that country, not ride on footpaths and obey one-way restrictions and traffic signals.
If passed, the measures could change traffic enforcement in Bengaluru and elsewhere in Karnataka.
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